Group Role: Deal Out Damage
Class Ability: Personal Shield
Above all else, the Assault class excels at dealing damage. This guy is your front line offense, equipped with a Personal Shield to lessen the Monster’s blows. This protection is only temporary, so it is wise to get out before being pummeled to death.
If possible, let this guy take the beating while the Medic keeps him alive. All three Assault Hunters are equipped with powerful weaponry and ultimately deal the most damage. The more time they can spend hitting the Monster, the quicker the team gets the job done.
Most of your time is spent firing one of the Hunter’s two guns, but don’t forget about each character’s third skill: Markov’s Arc Mines, Hyde’s Toxic Grenade, and Parnell’s Super Soldier. With proper use, these skills make Assault an even deadlier class.
“Hah! You worry too much, Valerie. Be like Markov! Be without worry!” —Markov
Use Markov’s Arc Mines to defend objectives or line them up at choke points to deal some initial damage as you confront the Monster. Tossing a few around the battlefield allows teammates a place to retreat when they get in trouble.
Hyde’s Toxic Grenade excels at flushing the Monster out from an advantageous position. Knock it off of a high perch, or save an ally when a teammate is in trouble.
Super Soldier gives Parnell faster movement and a quicker fire rate temporarily. When you face the Monster, combine this with the powerful Combat Shotgun to unload even more buckshot into your target.
Personal Shield
Duration: 10 seconds
Cooldown: 30 seconds
An Assault Hunter’s Personal Shield gives him temporary protection against his foes. When available, press the Ability button to deploy your shield. This puts a blue aura around the character and health bar, which makes it easy for other players to see that the Assault character is protected.
The shield’s duration is very short, so popping it just as a Monster attacks is key to obtaining the most benefit. It is okay to take a small amount of damage before deploying it; you can rely on your Medic to heal you. Learn to use the shield efficiently, and don’t waste it if you don’t need it.
When playing online, always call out your use of this skill so other players know you are shielded. This is especially true if Hank is on the team. Otherwise, he may waste his Shield Protector on an already protected Hunter.
Assault characters must get up close and personal with the Monster, so the Personal Shield becomes invaluable in battle. Rely on your team to keep you alive, but don’t be afraid to flee if you get into trouble.
You can deploy the Personal Shield after being knocked down. It will protect you from being finished off and give other players a chance to revive you—or (at the least) waste more of the Monster’s time.